dailyprompt – Page 2

The Perfect Road Trip?

Hmm…I don’t do road trips anymore. Family road trips happened a long time ago when I was a young girl but later with my son, we flew to different destinations so there was not much planning for the trip except booking the flight and the hotels we stayed at.

Ok, since you asked I’ll give it a try. If I had to plan the perfect road trip, I would make sure that we would have a first-aid kit. It would be the first thing I would get ready. It would contain all the necessary items we would need in case of small accidents. Don’t ask me which kind, I’m just saying for unforeseen circumstances. I would also pack a small bag with water, a change of clothes, toilet paper and such.

Next, I would take the car to the service center and have it checked out. Tire pressure would be one thing, water the other, and whatever else the mechanic thinks is necessary for a trip. The air-conditioning needs to be working, in fact it’s a must in summer.

What else? I DON’T KNOW! It doesn’t matter, I’m not going on a road trip any time soon and my perfect “trip” would be tripping at home with all the amenities close by!

There you have it. Next question please….

Daily writing prompt

How do you plan the perfect road trip?

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Falling Down!

It wasn’t about taking a physical fall, it was more of an emotional one. I fell and I fell hard. It wasn’t just about a moment but two events in life showed me just how strong I was. One was the breakup of a marriage that had lasted many years and I had thought would last forever. I was in it for life but, unfortunately, he wasn’t.

The fall was a hard one, much harder than I expected. I was left gasping for air and thought I would never get back up again. I suffered several blows, all emotional ones. My trust in another human being was gone, one who had vowed to love and protect me. I couldn’t look at him the same way and there was no going back to what was or had been. We were on separate paths but we had a son who needed us and didn’t understand why mommy and daddy were going separate ways.

It took a long time but going within to where my strength resides helped me to forge a way forward. I had to keep going and that little boy I had brought into the world needed me more than ever before. Then I met the “angel” who came to rescue me from my misery. I viewed him with cautious eyes at first because I had placed a lock and key around my broken heart. He didn’t care, he told me he was in it for the long run. It took a long time but I started to believe in myself again and to see myself as being worthy, worthy of love and respect.

He left after a few years. His job on earth was done and I was left alone again, only this time, I knew that no matter what I was STRONG, stronger than I had been. I was no longer looking at life through rose-colored glasses but with clarity. I knew what I wanted and I started working towards that goal. It didn’t mean that I wouldn’t make the same mistakes again because I am drawn to the bad boy types. However, when it did happen again, this time around I took it as another lesson learned and looked for the patterns that had led me down the same road.

I am learning that whenever something bad happens, it is not the end of the world. It is a new beginning to learn, to pick yourself back up, to wipe the tears away, and to move forward knowing that you have what it takes to succeed the next time around. I’m not saying it is going to be easy, it never is, but it is doable because YOU are stronger than you think and much more capable of overcoming whatever life throws your way.

YOU ARE ENOUGH AS YOU ARE!

Daily writing prompt

What’s a moment that made you realize you were stronger than you thought?

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Walking

This is a simple question to answer but lately it hasn’t been that easy. I would have said walking in nature brings me great joy but I’ve been taking a break from being out in nature because I have lots of other things going on right now.

Having a house means things can break when you least expect it and there is a saying that goes like this. When it rains, it pours! Exactly what is happening. The latest project or rather mishap is an electrical problem. I had a small fire in the kitchen and luckily I was home when it happened. I pulled the plug out of the socket and called an electrician. It takes a long time here before someone can show up. It could have been a short circuit according to Google! I would rather have a professional look at it and tell me everything is alright.

However, I did make it out to the fields today and it was gorgeous. The grass was knee-high and a bright striking emerald green. We’ve been having rain for the last few days and rain is in the forecast for today as well. Dark clouds were rolling in and the wind was picking up speed. I put in my walk, tanked up some energy, and got a smile back on my face as I walked home.

There are many simple pleasures that bring me joy. Walking is definitely one of them and Chachi, the little Macho, is the other. He is my sweetheart and just watching him as he goes about his day brings joy into my life.

Daily writing prompt

What’s a simple pleasure in life that brings you joy?

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Legends of the Fall

I’ve seen it three times and wouldn’t mind seeing it again! It is an epic historical film starring Brad Pitt and Anthony Hopkins. If that’s not enough to get you curious, Julia Ormond and Brad Pitt do a marvelous job of playing out the parts of star-crossed lovers with a tragic ending.

Set in Montana, the film portrays sweeping landscapes along with themes of betrayal, history, love, nature, war, and tragedy. It also takes you on a journey of epic proportions when “forbidden love” steps in and keeps you captivated to the very end. I cried each time I saw this movie. It was powerful and it gets your emotional senses going. However, I like movies that do exactly that.

It had everything I like in a movie and Brad Pitt and Anthony Hopkins are fantastic in this movie as well. Add elements of racism, tragedy, family drama, forbidden love, and you’ve got one GOOD movie. In my book, at least.

If I could erase one movie from my memory and watch it again, this would be my definite pick. I watched it with a friend the last time and he found it boring. Hmm….that’s because he loves action movies and yours truly is steeped in romance and anything that gets the tear ducts working overtime!

Daily writing prompt

If you could erase one movie from your memory and watch it again for the first time, which one would it be?

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Staying Motivated

One thing I have learned when learning something new and to stay motivated at the task at hand is to focus. Distractions are aplenty since I have a mind that loves to jump around and to run from one thing to the other. I liken it to a monkey!

Taming it is hard. Getting it to behave is next to impossible. The only thing I can do is to FOCUS and TRY not to get distracted. It is helping and lately, the “monkey” seems to understand and sits patiently while I go about doing what I need to get done.

New things are hard enough because the outcome is unknown and it takes concentration and effort to bring it to the finish line. I’m working on my novel currently and I find that staying motivated is a next to impossible task. My thoughts get muddled, I don’t know where to go next, how to make it all come together and even though I have over 250 pages finished, I am stuck! Moving forward is like wading through mud and I tend to put it aside until something new hits me but for now, it is a lost cause. I have too many things going on in my life right now and motivation is standing at the zero level.

I’m hoping that things will settle down and I can get going again.

Fingers and toes crossed!

The Three Fates

I picked this book up not really knowing much about Nora Roberts. Romance novels were my thing and when I came across this title, I wasn’t sure what it was about and I knew even less about the author at that time.

Little did I know that I was in for a surprise and of the best kind. The book captured all my senses hook, line, and sinker! Not many books do that. It wasn’t a historical novel or a classic, but it packed a punch and how! I couldn’t put it down and I read it from cover to cover in a very short amount of time. Then I went looking for more of her books and she had plenty.

Who is Nora Roberts? She is an American romance novelist and she is one of the most successful and prolific authors of the genre. I love her writing, it draws you in, it captivates, and it keeps you there wanting more. Roberts received the lifetime achievement award from the Romance Writers of America.

My first introduction to this writer was through the book I mentioned above. Irish siblings Malachi, Gideon, and Rebecca Sullivan try to acquire three heirlooms that were stolen. This chase takes them across continents and the intriguing plot with romance thrown in keeps readers more than engaged. I became a fan after reading this book and I think I own most of her books as well.

It was an unassuming title but the book completely surprised me. The writing was superb and the storyline fascinating. She has a knack for romance and she does it like no other writer I have known. Well, Danielle Steele comes close but I like Nora Roberts better. Just a matter of taste I suppose.

Daily writing prompt

What’s a book that completely surprised you?

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My Regular Fitness Routine

How can you build a regular fitness routine? Start out by knowing why you’re doing it. I do it for myself, not for anyone else. Knowing this, I work at what makes me feel good, if it fits my schedule, and if the workout routine adds or detracts from how I feel. This is important. If it makes you feel like you are not ENOUGH, there’s that word again, then it is time to look for something that works for you.

I start slow, no gung ho moves here, meaning being over-zealous. It is easy to get caught up in different workouts because you are motivated but that motivation fizzles out at some point and sometimes quickly, so start slow, take your time, know what works, what makes you feel good, and go from there.

My routine embraces different formats. I do cardio, strength, yoga, and Pilates. Not all at one time but some days I get ambitious and I go for all of it. My body lets me know the next day what I did wrong! Add breathing, walks in nature, eating right, and that about sums up my routine. It works for me. I’m exactly where I need to be, weight-wise, and I feel good. However, I work out seven days a week because a day without workouts is like a day without sunshine for me. That’s me, this doesn’t work for everyone.

Get motivated, stay motivated, add routines that work for you, watch your progress, and most of all DO NOT overdo it. Consistency is the key and knowing what you want to achieve the other. Oh, one more thing, think of working out as doing something good for your body because it’s a temple and you, my friend, are the goddess!

Daily writing prompt

How can you build a regular fitness routine?

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Charlotte’s Web

Do I think it is overrated? I don’t think it is overrated but in some aspects I do agree with the critics that it is a difficult plot to comprehend compared to modern day children’s books. The pace is slow-moving and at times boring. Add to that the somber theme of the death of a character and it is definitely different from normal children’s books.

However, when I first picked it up and stepped into it, it drew me in like a magnet. I found that the characters, Wilbur, Charlotte, and Templeton were relatable and the fact that they spoke was right down my alley! Most of the stories I write are about animals that speak and so I didn’t find it surprising at all. The story did cover some complex themes but it was done in such a masterful way that I hardly paid any attention to it. Life, death, and friendship were woven into the fabric of the story and although some people objected to the subject matter, especially of death, I found it fascinating.

This book has remained a favorite for young readers even though it was released decades ago. I think it is the timeless quality it embraces, one of dream-like characters and the gentle quality of a well-told story.

Overrated? I don’t think so but maybe in some aspects.

Another Hard Question

I haven’t really paid much attention to underrated people in history but since you asked I did go looking and found a whole slew of them! I’ve narrowed it down to three here.

Rosalind Franklin

She is the silent genius whose work with “x-ray diffraction images of DNA was pivotal in understanding its structure.” James Watson an American biologist and Francis Crick were credited with the discovery of DNA but the truth is, they relied heavily on Franklin’s data to get the job done. Her contribution was overshadowed in a male dominated society at the time. However, her story is a powerful reminder of how women contributed to science but were not given the recognition they deserved. Things have changed since then and let’s hope it doesn’t go backwards again because of you know who.

Claudette Colvin

She was someone who at just 15 years of age courageously challenged racial segregation. Rosa Parks is a well-known name but Colvin? It seems that the incident with Claudette Colvin happened nine months before the Rosa Parks incident. Claudette refused to relinquish her seat on a Montgomery bus to a white woman. Her brave stance at a time when unjust laws were the norm was truly courageous even though she didn’t get the recognition she deserved.

Katharine Johnson

She was a pioneer of sorts. Ms. Johnson shattered racial and gender barriers by working at NASA during segregation. More importantly, she “calculated the flight trajectory for John Glenn’s historic orbit and helped ensure the success of the Apollo II moon landing. A brilliant mind but her contributions only came to light at a much later time through the film Hidden Figures.

Let’s get some easier questions please!

Daily writing prompt

Who are some underrated people in history?

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Benefits of Minimalist Living

Now, that I’m learning to live with less and removing clutter as much as I can, I find that I have less dust catchers and more room to breathe! I never realized how much I have collected all in the name of wanting to dress better, having a nicer place and to just add to the mayhem!

I’m not all the way there, mind you, but I am working on it. One of the benefits of living a minimalist lifestyle and perhaps the biggest one is that I can find stuff. When once they were lost between other stuff that I didn’t need but loved looking at, now I can reach for something and know exactly where it is at.

The next benefit is that I spend less money. I no longer buy things just for the sake of buying or because it catches my eye. It is now about whether I need it, will I put it to good use, and should I be throwing money out the window simply on a whim.

Additional benefits include less time spent cleaning, no more impulsive spending, my focus is clearer and on things that matter, for example my personal growth. My living space is not as minimalist as I would like it to be but it is getting there. Mental clarity is taking over and it is not so much about material possessions anymore. Best of all, I don’t have to spend a lot of time cleaning.

I think I like this minimalist way of living, however, it is going to take time to get all the way there. The other thing is I don’t know if I am cut out for this kind of living but who knows, I might just come to love it or I might say, let’s move on to the next trend. Only time will tell.

Daily writing prompt

What are the biggest benefits of minimalist living?

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